Sedona Hiker Road Trip: Monument Valley, Cedar Mesa, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and Arches

While Arizona, and Sedona in particular offers numerous wonders to explore, Sedona Hiker is not immune to the beauty of other locales. On a recent trip to Utah, I sampled some of the most beautiful locations in the state. 

We did not include Bryce and Zion in this trip because we had already been there, but we will certainly go back again. 

If you have not yet visited these wonders of nature, you must do so!

This trip included Monument Valley, Cedar Mesa, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and Arches parks. 

We started our trip in Monument Valley, driving the loop to take in the sights and marvel at the iconic monuments that served as a backdrop to some of America's most famous Western movies. 

Monument Valley

Onward toward Mexican Hat, and then to Cedar Mesa and Natural Bridges. 

The next day we headed to Canyonlands and took the rim hike to enjoy the beautiful canyon below us. 

Then it was on to Arches. 

A memorable trip with lots of beautiful landscape to see!

Natural Bridges

Canyonlands

Mesa Arch at Canyonlands

Arches

Arches

Arches

Arches

Arches

Mexican Hat

Andante and Chimney Rock Pass Trail

On a beautiful Spring day in Sedona, there is no better place to be than on a hiking trail! And, yesterday was no exception. The sky was blue, the breeze was balmy and we headed to Adante Trail to begin our hike around Chimney Rock. 

Chimney Rock is one of the iconic red rock formations in Sedona and, thanks to all of the amateur and professional photographers who have passed through this scenic paradise, Chimney Rock is well known around the world. 

One of the most interesting things about this rock formation is how it changes, depending on your perspective. This changing perspective applies to many of the beautiful monuments here (Cathedral Rock is another example of this phenomenon), but you don't have to hike or drive far to see Chimney Rock from a different vantage point. 

A quick drive up Dry Creek Road, or a leisurely hike around the base of Chimney Rock will reveal its ever-changing face, and you will discover that the 'chimney' is actually comprised of several vertical slabs of red rock, rather than the single chimney you see from some angles. 

This hike begins at Adante Trailhead (near the large green water tank) and intersects along the way with Thunder Mountain Trail and Chimney Rock Pass Trail. We took the Chimney Rock Pass trail and wandered up and down the hills, following the path around the hill atop which the chimney sits. 

This is listed as a moderate hike in the hiking books and it is that. There isn't much of an uphill challenge during the first half of the hike, but the second half contains a good portion of uphill, without much of a respite. 

After that climb, the trail takes you around to the other side and back down toward the parking lot. 

Bi-Colored Lichen on the Red Rock

Very Large (Old) Juniper

Along the way, the junipers, manzanita and spring flowers graced the landscape giving us lots of photo opportunities. 

There are some wonderful views of the valley and of Ship Rock, the top of Cathedral Rock and several other monuments. The valley is bordered by beautiful sentinels of red rock that will take your breath away!

Chimney Rock from a Distance

Views of Coffee Pot Rock, Ship Rock and More!

You will meet other hikers and perhaps some bicyclists along the path, but this trail is well worth the hike. The views are spectacular and you get to see a host of red rock formations up close and from a distance.

The Adante and Chimney Rock Pass trails comprise a hike of about 1 to 2 hours depending on how often you stop to take pictures and chat with your fellow hikers along the way!

Chimney Rock Up Close and Personal

West Clear Creek

The West Clear Creek hike is not the most popular hike in Sedona, nor is it the most breathtaking. But, for those who want an easy hike without climbing, this is a good choice. 

The West Clear Creek trail rambles along the creek and through meadows, revealing some beautiful tall mountains and a wall of red rock. 

A peek at some red rocks

The remains of an old field stone house stand in a meadow, surrounded by scrub and some small trees. 

If the creek is not running high, you can cross it at the end of the trail and follow along the creek for another mile or so. 

Eventually, you will reach a point where the land on this side of the creek rises and, if you choose to continue the hike beyond this point, beware! 

This is not an established trail and it will take you up another 2000 feet, so it is not for the feint of heart. 



If you stick to the established trail, the West Clear Creek hike will take you about an hour.





If you get a late start, you will need a jacket on the way back. Once the sun dips behind the high mountains on the opposite side of the creek, you will be cold!

Beautiful old Cottonwood tree

The nicest surprise we had on this hike was something we saw shortly after we left the parking lot at the trail head. There is one gigantic Cottonwood tree standing guard over the path. There are also some very large, old Sycamore trees gracing the path.

A view of the creek

If you are in the mood for a serene hike and you don't have all day to complete the journey, you'll like West Clear Creek a lot. 



The established trail is a little over a mile long and it makes for an easy and enjoyable day. 





There aren't a lot of tour planes or helicopters overhead, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. 

Oh! One more thing. We finished our hike and drove out of the parking area, and up the winding road. On our way out, we were lucky enough to see two magnificent eagles circling overhead. 

They landed on the top of the hill above us and we thought they were probably going back to their aerie. 

A little cave along the creek

A nice surprise at the end of a peaceful New Year's Day hike!